I am an administrator at a major university with a medical school. My previous experience with other medical schools were positive, so when I was told by a member of central administration that I was "a little too light in my loafers for my job" I went to the ombudsman. The ombudsman told me that discrimination due to sexual orientation is only a policy at the state level, but at the university, I would just have to "deal with it." I am searching for a new academic home and hope to leave this place as fast as I can.
I was sexually harassed throughout a 4-week rotation. Comments were made on my clothing, my appearance, my ability to practice medicine as a female, and my sexuality. My physician preceptor told me to quit medicine and marry rich...on two separate days for two hours each. He also told me that "(you) should bring home a girl because then (your) parents would be happy to see you with any guy, especially a cardiologist" - this preceptor's specialty. On another occasion, I had to leave early to get a suspicious lesion checked out. He asked me to show where it was to himself and the male medical student, "unless of course it is in a vulnerable spot." Finally, near the end of the rotation, he told me that he would know if I egged his car. I think he sensed that what he did was wrong and was, in a subtle way, warning me to keep quiet.
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